Summer Running….and Loving it!

Ok, I know I’ve said this a couple of times before, but…I’m totally LOVING trail running! I missed out on last week’s MudBabe Monday, but did head out to the beginner run on Wednesday. This is a co-ed group and that evening it was 6 of us. We didn’t take our usual trail as it was closed due to the rains. So we started off (pretty fast for me) on pavement and then went into another new trail. Between getting lost (well…off the trail the main group was following anyway), some amazingly muddy shoes which I wish I had some pictures of, slippery rocks and the worse calf cramps I’ve ever experiences, this training run was quite the adventure!! Let’s just say there was a ton more walking and hiking than running and the rest of the group was pretty awesome for walking when my cramps hit!!

Running lesson learned: Pre-run hydration is critical! When its hot and humid, I sweat a ton…and I mean a ton. I lost a little over 1lb that evening just after running. While I had downed a small bottle of Gatorade and did carry two 8ox bottles with me, one with water and one with Nuun, the humidity got the the best of me :( I got to the trail about about 45mins before we started, so got 1mile in as a warm up and was sweating like crazy before we even started. Halfway through the run, left calf cramped up and I was given a S!Cap. It eased the cramps for a little, until we got back onto pavement and it was all uphill and both legs just plain refused to move! My calves were tied up in some serious hard knots!! Ouch! Although I was ok by the time I got home, they were still tender the next day! So note to self -  make sure to drink more Gatorade and depending on the temperature and humidity, take S! Caps every 30mins if needed. So will be starting to do this as I have a few Summer Runs comings up.

Last Saturday, I got an up close look at a trail run and trail ultra. I volunteered all day at the "Psycho Psummer" Run Toto Run 50K & 15-Mile Trail Run and it was so unbelievably inspiring! They had 214 runners (out of which 206 finished) for the 15miler and 112 (out of which 69 finished) for the 50k run. It was tough course with the fastest male 15mile finisher at 2:19:51 and female at 2:41:34. The fastest 50k male finisher was at 5:03:17 and female at 6:27:09. But the times don’t reflect the true grit and courage of these runners, especially the ones that were towards the end. The course was one loop for 15miles and a repeat of that loop for the 50k’ers! Unbelievably tough!! I’ve shows a few spots below…thanks to some great pictures courtesy of SeekcRun and Richard Stigall. As you can see I better get in shape if I’m going attempt this run next year!! These runners are Psycho Tough!!! I had a absolutely wonderful time helping them out and being part of that awesome race! KC Trail Nerds Rock!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired by these runners, I figured I should at least get my measly 6mi in at the end of the day. I finished a great day with the toughest runners I’ve met by running my own 6.4miles at our Indian Creek Trails…now that was an awesome day!

In my own racing news, I’ll be doing two 10k races in the next 4 weeks. First one will be on 7/21 a local 10k for $10..score!! It’ll be on a Wednesday evening and I’ll be running the my usual paved trail route on Indian Creek. The next one should be interesting! It is Psych Night 10k Trail Run. I have a friend who said he would run it with me…whew :) It’s on a Friday, 8/6 and another KC Nerd steal for $8. Guess I better get my headlamp ordered. I’m a little scared as Special Instructions read “All runners will carry their own flashlight or head lamp. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. This is for your own safety, and the safety of the ground and trees in the park, that you will smack (hard), without proper vision.”

Summer is officially in full gear and by the looks of it, mine is going to be one interesting and challenging one…just the way I love it!!!

Happy Trails!!!